Many people in Charlottesville rally for health care

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (NEWSPLEX) — Dozens of people showed up at the Freedom of Speech Wall on the Downtown Mall to take a stand, in the hope of saving Obamacare.

This effort to save Obamacare is a push led by Senator Bernie Sanders. On Sunday, thousands of Democrats across the United States rallied to fight against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Paula Durbin-Westby is a worried mom who drove all the way from Fredericksburg to rally for health care in Charlottesville. Her son had knee reconstruction surgery, and she’s afraid the new administration will take his insurance away.

“I’m terrified, I don’t sleep at night sometimes,” said Durbin-Westby. “I wake up in the middle of the night worrying about my child and how he would access health care.”

Diane Bloom came to the rally to make a point. She has a 91-year-old mother and says it would be unfortunate for her mom if Obamacare is repealed.

“Her prescriptions are paid for, there’s a lot of things she depends on that she would not be able to afford,” said Bloom.

Many Central Virginians feel the same way. That’s why they gathered with the Charlottesville Chapter of Progressive Democrats of America, hoping to protect access to health care and to protest the dismantling Affordable Care Act, Medicare and the federal defunding of Planned Parenthood.

“They will lose funding to be able to allow people to get family planning services, to get breast exams, pelvic exams, and general women’s health,” said Cindy Janechild, a speaker at the rally.

The Progressive Democrats of America say this could impact millions of Americans.